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1985 318i ITB Buildup - Feedback?

After the death of my e21, following 5 successful years on the track (3 enduro championships), I have decided to build an early 318i and continue racing in ITB (fun group of guys).

I was giving a free 1985 318i (owner lost the title) and have stripped it to the shell. I am currently in the process of sandblasting it (in, out, and under). After a coat of POR-15 and paint, the buildup will begin.

I have questions, but first let me tell you that I will be running a welded 3.9, 4.10, and 4.25 diff. I've found in the past that I didn't need the rear sway bar on the e21, and got used to the handling of a locked rear. I have come to this board because helpful past threads in these forums have kept my 88ix and my '82e21 alive. Also, googling 318i race prep has proved there isn't much out there for these cars, so here goes:

1. Solid Aluminum Subframe Bushings or Poly?
2. I've heard good things about the Powerflex Bushings. Any users out there with feedback for the control arms, trailing arms, or subframe?
3. I was given a pair of spherical control arm bearings. Feedback?
4. Any leads on "inexpensive" stainless steel brake lines?
5. Coilover Brands : likes/dislikes/prices?
6. Spring Rates and Preferred Brands: Front and Rear?
7. Any other feedback, suggestions, web links, sources of info?

I've got a Z3 that I'm finishing up on and....

the Z3 shares rear suspension with any e-30, there's lots of good suspension parts and even the engine is well supported unlike the later M-44. So to answer your questions:

1) I'd go with the solid sub-frame bushings along with a delrin diff mount.

2) Be careful to NOT get the street version, there's a tendancy for some to crack. Know of someone who cracked one while autoxing :( Go with delrin or spherical mounts(they're confirmed to be IT legal now) over Polyurethane.

3) That'd be what I'd use.

4) Don't cheap out on your brakes, period.

5) For coil-overs I'm running TC Kline DA's. You can check them out here:

Re: I've got a Z3 that I'm finishing up on and....

Ja_

I run in the Northeast. Very fast Audi Coupes (5-cyl) and a 2.0L VW Golf are the points leaders this year. There was a 318i front runner a few years ago, but he has moved on the being a front runner in ITS (restrictor plate and all).

Thanks for the info. I'll chekc out the TC's. I didn't know that we share the same rear ends (that didn't sound right!!).

Is there such a thing as spherical's for the rear, or just the front control arms?

Ah, that would probably be the Blenthams.....

There's also a couple of ITA Z3 racers in the NE, Noem Levine and Rob Brenault. They both run TC Kline coil overs so they can also point you in a good direction as far as spring rates. I guess I'd not seen a spherical bearing for the trailing arms so go with Delrin there and don't bother with the adjustable mounts they move and aren't as solid as the non-adjustable ones.

Yep, the Z3 inherited the e-30 trailing arms, non-Z axle suspension due to packaging constraints. It was one of the features panned by all the auto-journalists, but it works well when kept in shape. Good luck (Habben Sie eine gutten Gluck)

Double Adjustable set-up available for E36/E30

PTG Sport offers a PTG/JRZ non-rear coilover double adjustable set-up that's tested significantly better than motons and others. Also have E36/E30 MS LSD. The E30 set-up is actually a bit more expensive than the E36 and E46 because of the front strut demands.